Photo By Capt. Jon LaDue | Two soldiers from the 229th Engineer Company conduct early morning pre-combat checks...... read more read more
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MADISON, Wis. - About 150 Wisconsin Army National Guard soldiers are nearing the end of their mobilization training at Fort Bliss, Texas, and are preparing for nearly nine months of engineering missions in Afghanistan.
The soldiers, who will deploy to Kandahar in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, are entering a six-day collective training exercise where they will complete projects similar to their overseas mission, such as road improvement, motor park construction, force protection improvement and helicopter pad upgrade projects.
Beginning with a mountain road improvement project, the missions the unit will complete this week also provide an opportunity for the 229th to be validated on their mission readiness. The 5th Armor Brigade is ultimately responsible for certifying the 229th, but the unit's validation is imminent.
"You have a good group here," Capt. James Davis, of the 5th AB, told Maj. Gen. Don Dunbar, adjutant general of Wisconsin, during a Wisconsin Guard leader site visit Sept. 21.
Davis said his team doesn't compare individual units but offered his approval of the 229th Engineer Company.
"They are meeting the standard and there's no doubt they'll excel downrange," he said.
Although the month-long mobilization training is far from the dairy land, it may prove invaluable for the 229th soldiers - many of whom have deployed, but not to Afghanistan.
"The terrain and weather here at Camp McGregor are very similar to what we'll see in Kandahar," said Sgt. Maj. Andrew Aasen, the 229th's first sergeant.
Capt. Jesse Augustine, 229th company commander, said his soldiers have embraced their training and are doing everything they're expected to do. He said the team, at one point, was working so diligently - and over a holiday weekend - on a project that leaders told his unit to slow down or there would be no more work available for the 229th.
Brig. Gen. Mark Anderson, commander of the Wisconsin Army National Guard, also visited the 229th Soldiers. He was impressed with the unit's progress and mindset as they finalize their mobilization training at Fort Bliss.
"It sounds like you have a pretty dynamic environment you're falling in on," Anderson said. "As [deployed leaders] recognize the units that can handle it, I wouldn't be surprised if more business comes your way."
Although the 229th soldiers have been preparing in Wisconsin since first being notified, 1st Lt. Michael Anderson and 1st Lt. Michael Brudzinski briefed Anderson on the unit's status since arriving in Texas.
"They were all very excited to get digging," Anderson said
"Morale has been great - they're ready to get into it," Brudzinksi added.
Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Kaluzny said he was more than happy to make the trip to Fort Bliss and noted the soldiers' positive attitude will take them a long way during their deployment.
"These soldiers have the right attitude - they are destined to succeed," Kaluzny said. "Any unit that goes out looking for work and training to do instead of sitting idly by waiting to be trained is definitely driven."
The 229th Engineer Company - which encompasses soldiers based out of Platteville, Prairie du Chien and the Tomah-based 106th Quarry Detachment - will serve overseas alongside the 181st Engineer Company of the Massachusetts National Guard, under the active component 20th Engineer Battalion. The 229th, a horizontal engineer unit, is typically responsible for building and improving roads, helicopter pads and other horizontal-type surfaces, whereas the vertical engineer units are responsible for everything that comes with constructing buildings and other vertical infrastructure.
Because horizontal and vertical units have different missions, they are typically segregated. On this deployment, however, the teams will combine at times to form hybrid tactical infrastructure construction companies which can expand the teams' flexibility on various projects.
"It's a makeup the mission has dictated the need for," said Lt. Col. Daniel Pulvermacher. "These soldiers are ready and versatile and will adapt to whatever the mission needs are."
Although the 229th soldiers will have to wait to hear from their validation team, Dunbar relayed his appreciation of the team's work thus far.
"I want you to know how proud we are of you, and we are absolutely confident in your ability to meet the mission," Dunbar said.
| Date Taken: | 09.24.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 09.26.2012 15:49 |
| Story ID: | 95328 |
| Location: | MADISON, WI, US |
| Web Views: | 181 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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